Support device for a panel and method to assemble a panel

ABSTRACT

Support device ( 1 ) for a panel ( 2 ), comprising: 
     a profile ( 4 ) defining a housing section ( 5 ) into which a border ( 3 ) of said panel ( 2 ) is inserted, said housing section ( 5 ) being delimited by a base ( 6 ), by a first lateral wall ( 7 ) and by a second lateral wall ( 8 ) of the profile ( 4 ), said profile being constituted by a first portion ( 4   a ) and by a second portion ( 4   b ) different from each other; 
     adjusting means ( 10 ) installed at the height of the panel ( 2 ) in relation to the base ( 6 ) of the profile ( 4 ), said adjusting means ( 10 ) being located inside the housing section ( 5 ) and being at least partially arranged nearby said first lateral wall ( 7 ) so that, with the border ( 3 ) of the panel ( 2 ) inserted in the housing section ( 5 ), these adjusting means ( 10 ) can be accessed through a first passing slot ( 11 ) located between the border ( 3 ) of the panel ( 2 ) and the first lateral wall ( 7 ); 
     joining means ( 21 ) of the two portions ( 4   a   , 4   b ) of the profile ( 4 ), said joining means ( 21 ) including a bent plate ( 24 ) with a first end ( 24   a ) that can be inserted into a shouldered part ( 23 ) of said second lateral wall ( 8 ) and with a second end ( 24   b ) having a bushing ( 25 ) engageable for rotation inside the joint seat ( 22 ) obtained in said first lateral wall ( 7 ).

The object of the present invention is a support device for a panel anda method to assemble a panel, in particular to be used in interiordesigns.

Support devices for panels comprising a lower and an upper profilesuitable to house the relative opposite borders of the same panel areknown in prior art. In particular, after having applied the lowerprofile to the floor and the upper profile to the ceiling, the upperborder of the panel is located inside a recess of the upper profile,while the lower border of the panel is located inside a recess of thelower profile. The panel thus assembled appears to be substantiallyorthogonal to the floor and to the ceiling and its height in relation tothe floor can be adjusted by introducing shims. Indeed, in case theheight of the panel in relation to the floor must be modified, the panelborders must be removed from the housings in the relative profiles.Then, a specific number of shims is located nearby the recess of thelower profile in order to obtain the wanted height. These shims areconstituted for example by blocks in wood, metal or plastic.

The main disadvantage of the solution above described is due to the factthat the adjustment operations of the panel height are time consumingand laborious. Indeed, each time an adjustment must be performed, thepanel must be disassembled and in general, this is heavy and bulky. Inaddition, especially in case of glass panels, handling is criticalbecause the operator may accidentally bend the panels or collide againstother objects (furniture, machineries, walls), thus damaging the samepanels or breaking them. Since adjusting the panel height is a frequentoperation, carried out to compensate for the tolerances due todeformation under strain of the profile materials, the panels aresubject to repeated mechanical stresses and tend to wear out quickly.

Another disadvantage of the existing solutions is linked to the factthat the shims allow to adjust the height with rough precision,therefore for discreet pitches of at least a few millimetres, while thedeformations of materials are in micron.

Another disadvantage of the existing known solutions concerns thedeformation of the same shims. Indeed, the shims which are subject tothe weight of the panel, give way and deform, therefore additionaladjustments of the panel height are needed.

In this context, the technical task at the basis of the presentinvention is to provide a support device for a panel and a method toassemble a panel which overcome the inconveniences of the abovementioned prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide asupport device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, which allowto adjust the height of the panel in relation to the floor quickly andeasily.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a supportdevice for a panel and a method to assemble a panel that allow to reduceor eliminate the risks of damaging the panel when adjusting its heightin relation to the floor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a supportdevice for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, which allow toincrease the average life of the panel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a supportdevice for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, which allow toaccurately adjust the height of the panel in relation to the floor,therefore to recover the tolerances due to the micrometric deformationsof the materials.

The described technical task and the specified objects are mainlyreached by a support device for a panel and a method to assemble apanel, comprising the technical characteristics indicated in one or moreof the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the illustrative and thus non limitativedescription of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a supportdevice for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, as shown in theappended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a support device for a panel,according to the present invention, in a vertical sectional view;

FIG. 2 a shows a detail (profile) of the device of FIG. 1, in a verticalsectional view;

FIG. 2 b shows a third embodiment of the profile of FIG. 2 a, in avertical sectional view;

FIG. 3 shows a detail (spacer) of the device of FIG. 1, in a verticalsectional view;

FIG. 4 shows the spacer of FIG. 3, in a perspective view;

FIG. 5 shows a detail (joining means) of the device of FIG. 1, in anexploded vertical sectional view;

FIG. 6 partially shows the joining means (bent plate) of FIG. 5, in atop view;

FIG. 7 partially shows the joining means (bushing) of FIG. 5, in a topview;

FIG. 8 shows a wall structure according to the present invention, in aperspective view;

FIG. 9 shows a portion of the wall structure of FIG. 8, in a verticalsectional view;

FIG. 10 shows an enlargement of the portion of FIG. 9 (without gaskets),in a vertical sectional view.

With reference to the figures, 1 indicates a support device for a panel2. Preferably, panel 2 is made in glass for example of tempered type,with transparent, acidified or back-painted finish. Alternately, panel 2is made in wood, for example subject to “open pore” painting.

Device 1 comprises a profile 4 defining a housing section 5 in which theborder 3 of panel 2 is inserted. In particular, housing section 5 isdelimited by a base 6, by a first lateral wall 7 and by a second lateralwall 8 of profile 4. This way, the housing section 5 boasts the shape ofan open recess with the vertical section in the shape of a squared “U”with an access opening 9 (see FIG. 1). Preferably, profile 4 is made inaluminium. For example, panel 2 has a thickness between 8 mm and 12 mm,while access opening 9 has a size between 18 and 20 mm.

Device 1 is equipped with height adjusting means 10 of panel 2 inrelation to base 6 of profile 2. These adjusting means 10 are arrangedinside the housing section 5.

Advantageously, adjusting means 10 are least partially arranged nearbythe first lateral wall 7 so that, with border 3 of panel 2 inserted inthe housing section 5, these adjusting means 10 can be accessed througha first passing slot 11. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, this firstpassing slot 11 is obtained between border 3 of panel 2 and the firstlateral wall 7 to allow the adjustment of the height of panel 2 alreadyinstalled. More precisely, the first passing slot 11 is obtained betweenthe border 3 of panel 2 and a tooth 7 a of the first lateral wall 7.Preferably, border 3 of panel 2 and the second lateral wall 8 define asecond passing slot 26. More precisely, the second passing slot 26 isobtained between the border 3 of panel 2 and a tooth 8 a of the firstlateral wall 8.

Innovatively, the adjusting means 10 comprise a lower plate 12 and anupper plate 13. Lower plate 12 laid onto base 6 of profile 4 is equippedwith cylindrical pins 14 (for example in steel) which are parallel toeach other. For example, lower plate 12 has the shape of aparallelepiped of sizes 50 mm×30 mm×4 mm and a surface 15 of largersizes (50 mm×30 mm) with two protruding pins 14 a and 14 b, which areorthogonal to such surface 15, as shown in FIG. 4. Smooth holes 16 areobtained in the upper plate 13, onto which border 3 of panel 2 ispositioned, for the passage of the same pins 14. In addition, a threadedhole 17 is obtained on the upper plate 13, located between said smoothholes 16. The smooth holes 16 and the threaded hole 17 are throughholes. For example, the upper plate 13 has the shape of a parallelepipedof sizes 50 mm×25 mm×8 mm which surfaces 18 of larger sizes are crossedby two smooth holes 16 a, 16 b and by threaded hole 17, as shown in FIG.4. Preferably, smooth holes 16 a and 16 b and threaded hole 17 have acircular section and aligned centres. The lower plate 12 and the upperplate 13 are parallel to each other so that pins 14 a and 14 b can gothrough smooth holes 16 a, 16 b while threaded hole 17 can house a screw19, preferably without head. Advantageously, screw 19 is located nearbythe first lateral wall 7 so that screw 19 is in the first passing slot11, with border 3 of panel 2 inserted in the housing section 5. Thelower plate 12 (with pins 14), the upper plate 13 (with the smooth holes16 and the threaded hole 17) and the screw 19 define in this way aspacer 20.

In a first embodiment herein described and illustrated, profile 4 ismade by a first portion 4 a and by a second portion 4 b which aredifferent from each other and can be connected through joining means 21so as to define the housing section 5. Preferably, the two portions 4 aand 4 b of profile 4 are asymmetrical, as shown in FIG. 2 a. Inparticular, the first portion 4 a defines the first lateral wall 7 ofthe housing section 5, while the second portion 4 b defines the base 6and the second lateral wall 8 of housing section 5.

In a second embodiment (not shown), the two portions 4 a and 4 b ofprofile 4 are symmetrical. In particular, the first portion 4 a definesthe first lateral wall 7 and half of base 6 of the housing section 5,while the second portion 4 b defines the second lateral wall 8 and theother half of base 6 of the housing section 5.

In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 b, profile 4 is made by a singlepiece.

Preferably, the first lateral wall 7 has a joint seat 22 and the secondlateral wall 8 has a shouldered part 23 (for example, see FIGS. 1 and10). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, joining means 21 comprise a bent plate24 having a first end 24 a inserted into the shouldered part 23 and asecond end 24 b with a bushing 25. In particular, this plate 24 is bentto support bushing 25. Note that the horizontal section of bushing 25 isdefined by a semi-circular groove 25 a and by a segment 25 b, as shownin FIG. 7. Advantageously, bushing 25 can be accessed through the firstpassing slot 11 so that when subject to rotation, this bushing 25engages the joint seat 22. Indeed, by rotating the bushing 25, this goesfrom an idle configuration in which segment 25 b is mainly parallel tothe first lateral wall 7 to a working configuration in which theextension of segment 25 b is of incident type in relation to the firstlateral wall 7.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the shouldered part 23 isobtained in the first lateral wall 7, while the joint seat 22 isobtained in the second lateral wall 8. The first end 24 a of the bentplate 24 can be inserted into the shouldered part 23. The bushing 25,located nearby the second end 24 b of the bent plate 24 can be accessedthrough the second passing slot 26. In particular, when rotating thebushing 25, this will engage the joint seat 22. Indeed, by rotating thebushing 25, this goes from an idle configuration in which the segment 25b is mainly parallel to the second lateral wall 8 to a workingconfiguration in which the extension of segment 25 b is of incident typein relation to the second lateral wall 8.

Preferably, device 1 is also equipped with gaskets 35 which aresnap-applied between profile 4 and border 3 of panel 2 so as to isolatethe housing section 5. In particular, these gaskets 35 are applied so asto close the first slot 11 and the second passing slot 26, as shown inFIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 8, preferably support device 1 is used in a wallstructure 27 made by a plurality of uprights 28 and beams 29 whichdefine sectors in order to apply as many panels 2. In particular,profile 4 of device 1 can be anchored to a floor 30 or ground in orderto build the lower profile of wall structure 27.

The method to assemble a panel according to the present invention isdescribed below.

First of all it must be considered the use of monolithic profiles(therefore made by a single piece). A lower profile 4 is laid onto thefloor 30 or on the ground and anchored to it. An upper profile 40 isanchored to a ceiling 32. Preferably, upper profile 40 is identical tolower profile 4. Access opening 9 of lower profile 4 faces accessopening 90 of upper profile 40.

One or more spacers 20 are introduced into the lower housing section 5defined in lower profile 4, in general two for each panel 2 to support.In particular, the lower plate 12 of each spacer 20 is laid onto thebase 6 of the lower profile 4.

An upper border 33 of panel 2 is inserted into an upper housing section50 defined in the upper profile 40. A lower border 3 of panel 2 isinserted into the lower housing section 5, in particular this lowerborder 3 lies onto the upper plate 13. This way, panel 2 is mainlyorthogonal to floor 30 and ceiling 32.

The height of panel 2 in relation to the base 6 of the lower profile 4(and therefore the height of panel 2 in relation to floor 30) isadjusted through adjusting means 10 arranged in the lower housingsection 5. Advantageously, the access to the adjusting means 10 takesplace through the first passing slot 11 so as to allow the adjustmentonce installed. For example, by passing an allen wrench 34 through thefirst passing slot 11, the screw 19 is screwed in the threaded hole 17.This way, the upper plate 13 is closer or further to the lower plate 12,thus allowing to change the height of panel 2 in relation to base 6 ofthe lower profile 4. In particular, when screwing the screw 19, pins 14a and 14 b and the relative smooth holes 16 a and 16 b act as guides.For example, each turn of screw 19 determines a change of height equalto about 0.8 mm.

Now it must be considered the use of a lower, non monolithic profile 4,therefore consisting of two different portions 4 a and 4 b differentfrom each other and that can be connected to each other. First of all,lay the second portion 4 b of the lower profile 4 onto floor 30. Thelower plate 12 of spacer 20 is laid onto the base 6 of the lower profile4. Therefore lay one or more bent plates 24 onto the base 6 of the lowerprofile 4. In particular, the first end 24 a of each bent plate 24 isinserted into the shouldered part 23 in the second lateral wall 8, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 10. Then, the lower border 3 of panel 2 ispositioned nearby the base 6 of the lower profile 4, in particular thislower border 3 lies onto the upper plate 13. In conclusion, the firstportion 4 a is placed besides the second portion 4 b of the lowerprofile 4. The connection between the two portions 4 a and 4 b is doneby rotating the bushing 25 of each bent plate 24 (for example throughthe alien wrench 34) so that the bushing 25 engages the joint seat 22.The adjustment of the height of panel 2 is done as explained above. Inconclusion, snap gaskets 35 are applied between lower profile 4 andlower border 3 and between upper profile 40 and upper border 33.

According to the above description, the characteristics of the supportdevice of a panel and of the method to assemble a panel are clear,according to the present invention, as well as consequent advantages.

In particular, thanks to the first passing slot, it is possible toaccess the screw and adjust the panel height once installed. Thisadjustment is easy and quick since it is sufficient to introduce theallen wrench in the first passing slot, avoiding to remove the panel. Inaddition, the adjustment of the panel height once installed, allows toreduce or fully eliminate the risks of damaging the panel during theadjusting operations, thus reducing wearing.

In addition, since each turn of the screw corresponds to a change ofheight less than one millimetre, the proposed device and method allow toadjust the panel height accurately in relation to the floor, allowing torecover the tolerances due to the micrometric deformations of thematerials.

In addition, the use of a non-monolithic profile (for example made bytwo portions) renders the assembly of the panel even easier. Indeed, inthis case, the panel is applied to the “front” of the second portion ofthe lower profile and not through clamping. Only later on, the secondportion of the lower profile is applied, thus defining the housingsection.

1. Support device (1) for a panel (2), comprising: a profile (4)defining a housing section (5) into which a border (3) of said panel (2)is inserted, said housing section (5) being delimited by a base (6), bya first lateral wall (7) and by a second lateral wall (8) of the profile(4); height adjusting means (10) of panel (2) in relation to the base(6) of said profile (4), said adjusting means (10) being arranged insidethe housing section (5), characterised in that said adjusting means (10)are at least partially arranged nearby said first lateral wall (7) sothat, with the border (3) of the panel (2) inserted in the housingsection (5), these adjusting means (10) can be accessed through a firstpassing slot (11) located between the border (3) of the panel (2) andthe first lateral wall (7) to allow the adjustment of the panel heightonce installed (2).
 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which saidadjusting means (10) comprise a lower plate (12) laid onto the base (6)of profile (4) and an upper plate (13) onto which the border (3) of saidpanel (2) is positioned, said lower plate (12) being equipped withcylindrical pins (14) which are parallel to one another and go throughthe relative smooth holes (16) obtained in the upper plate (13); saidupper plate (13) also having a threaded hole (17) located between saidsmooth holes (16) that houses a screw (19) located nearby said firstlateral wall (7) so that said screw (19) is in the first passing slot(11) with the border (3) of the panel (2) inserted in the housingsection (5).
 3. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which said profile(4) is made by a first portion (4 a) and by a second portion (4 b) whichare different from each other and can be connected through joining means(21) so as to define said housing section (5).
 4. Device (1) accordingto claim 3, in which said portions (4 a, 4 b) are asymmetrical so thatthe first portion (4 a) defines the first lateral wall (7) of thehousing section (5) and the second portion (4 b) defines the secondlateral wall (8) and the base (6) of said housing section (5).
 5. Device(1) according to claim 3, in which said portions (4 a, 4 b) aresymmetrical so that the first portion (4 a) defines the first lateralwall (7) and half of the base (6) of said housing section (5) and thesecond portion (4 b) defines the second lateral wall (8) and the otherhalf of the base (6) of said housing section (5).
 6. Device (1)according to claim 3, in which said first lateral wall (7) has a jointseat (22) and said second lateral wall (8) boasts a shouldered part(23); said joining means (21) comprising a bent plate (24) having afirst end (24 a) that can be inserted into said shouldered part (23) anda second end (24 b) equipped with a bushing (25), said bushing (25)being accessible through the first passing slot (11) so that whenrotating, said bushing (25) will engage the joint seat (22).
 7. Device(1) according to claim 3, in which said first lateral wall (7) boasts ashouldered part (23) and said second lateral wall (8) boasts a jointseat (22), said joining means (21) comprising a bent plate (24) having afirst end (24 a) that can be inserted into said shouldered part (23) anda second end (24 b) equipped with a bushing (25), said bushing (25)being accessible through a second passing slot (26) located between theborder (3) of panel (2) and the second lateral wall (8) so that whenrotating, said bushing (25) will engage the joint seat (22).
 8. Device(1) according to claim 1, also comprising gaskets (35) which aresnap-applied between profile (4) and border (3) of panel (2) so as toisolate the housing section (5).
 9. Wall structure (27) comprising aplurality of uprights (28) and beams (29) that define sectors for theapplication of as many panels (2), characterised by the fact ofcomprising support devices (1) for panels (2) according to claim 1, theprofile (4) of said devices (1) being anchored to a floor (30) or groundso as to build the lower profile of said wall structure (27).
 10. Methodto assemble a panel (2) comprising the steps of: laying a lower profile(4) onto a floor (30) or ground; anchoring an upper profile (40) to aceiling (32); inserting an upper border (33) of panel (2) into an upperhousing section (50) defined in the upper profile (40); inserting alower border (3) of panel (2) into a lower housing section (5) definedin the lower profile (4), said lower housing section (5) being delimitedby a base (6), by a first lateral wall (7) and by a second lateral wall(8); adjusting the height of panel (2) in relation to the base (6) ofsaid lower profile (4) through adjusting means (10) arranged in thelower housing section (5), characterised in that the step of adjustingthe panel height (2) consists in accessing said adjusting means (10)through a first passing slot (11) located between the lower border (3)of panel (2) and the first lateral wall (7) so as to allow theadjustment of the panel height (2) once installed.
 11. Method accordingto claim 10, in which the step of laying the lower profile (4) onto thefloor (30) consists in turn to lay a second portion (4 b) of said lowerprofile (4) onto the same floor (30), said second portion (4 b) definingthe base (6) and the second lateral wall (8) of the lower housingsection (5), while the step of inserting the lower border (3) of panel(2) inside the lower housing section (5) consists in turn to positionsaid lower border (3) nearby the base (6) and connect a first portion (4a) of the lower profile (4) to said second portion, said second portion(4 a) defining the first lateral wall (7) of the lower housing section(5).